Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/55—Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
• • A63F13/10—
• • A63F13/12—
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
  • A63F13/23—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
  • A63F13/235—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/45—Controlling the progress of the video game
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06N—COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
  • G06N3/00—Computing arrangements based on biological models
  • G06N3/004—Artificial life, i.e. computing arrangements simulating life
  • G06N3/006—Artificial life, i.e. computing arrangements simulating life based on simulated virtual individual or collective life forms, e.g. social simulations or particle swarm optimisation [PSO]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
  • A63F13/32—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections
  • A63F13/323—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
  • A63F13/32—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections
  • A63F13/327—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/40—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network
  • A63F2300/403—Connection between platform and handheld device
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/40—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network
  • A63F2300/404—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network characterized by a local network connection
  • A63F2300/405—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network characterized by a local network connection being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
  • A63F2300/8058—Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to a system for evolving a virtual object in an interactive environment.
• the present invention also relates to a method for evolving a virtual object in an interactive environment.
• the expression “virtual object” will be understood to mean an object defined by a set of parameters and data.
• the term “evolving virtual object” will be understood to mean a virtual object of which at least part of the parameters and / or data can be modified or evolve over time.
• active environment will be understood to mean an environment in which at least some of the parameters and / or data of a virtual object can evolve over time or be modified by the direct or indirect interaction of a user with this virtual object. .
• the virtual object is capable of evolving in a relatively limited interactive environment.
• a disadvantage of such "artificial companions" thus lies in the fact that the possibilities offered to the user to affect the evolution of the virtual object are greatly limited by the user interface with which they are typically provided. Indeed, due to the necessary small size of these portable devices, and therefore the generally low number of control members, the number of interactions between the user and the virtual object is very greatly restricted. This drawback is all the greater since it is typically desired to produce devices having as small a volume as possible so as not to handicap the user when wearing this device.
• An object of the present invention is thus to propose a system and a method for making a virtual object evolve in an interactive environment which overcomes the multiple disadvantages mentioned above.
• the subject of the present invention is a system for operating a virtual object in an interactive environment, the characteristics of which are set out in claim 1.
• the present invention also relates to a method for making a virtual object evolve in an interactive environment, the characteristics of which are set out in claim 10.
• Advantageous embodiments of the present invention described in the remainder of this description, make the subject of the dependent claims.
• An advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the user has extensive possibilities of interaction with the virtual object.
• the user also has both the advantages, in terms of mobility, of portable devices known from the prior art, and the advantages, in terms of interactivity, of the computer applications known from the prior art. The user is thus in no way limited by the reduced capacities of portable devices or the low mobility of computer applications.
• another advantage lies in the fact that different virtual objects each evolving in different environments can nevertheless come into contact and mutually affect their evolution.
• FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a system for changing a virtual object according to the present invention and comprising a portable unit and a computer terminal;
• FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of a portable unit of the system of Figure 2;
• FIG. 4 illustrates how a virtual object is likely to evolve in the interactive environment supported by the system according to the present invention
• FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention in which two portable units of the system interact with each other;
• FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the interaction of the two portable units of Figure 5; and - Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which several computer terminals are connected together via a computer network.
• Figure 1 schematically shows the underlying principle of the present invention.
• a system is thus proposed for making a virtual object evolve in an interactive environment comprising a first interactive environment 100, called the main one, and a second interactive environment 200, said secondary, more reduced than the main interactive environment 100, the user having interface means, and visualization means in each of the interactive environments 100 and 200.
• a virtual object, identified by the reference 150 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 in the form of a virtual animal, such as a dog.
• This virtual object 150 is capable of evolving in one or the other of the main interactive environment 100 or secondary 200, in particular by the interaction of a user in the corresponding environment.
• the virtual object 150 has thus been diagrammed as evolving in the main interactive environment 100.
• the virtual object 150 is capable of evolving in the secondary interactive environment 200 by being transferred, totally or in part, from the main interactive environment 100 to the interactive environment 200.
• the virtual object 150 Preferably, as is represented schematically in FIG. 1, only a representative part of the virtual object 150, and in particular a part of the parameters and / or data of the virtual object, will be transmitted or exchanged between the main and secondary interactive environments 100 and 200 150 which are subject to change.
• This representative part of the virtual object 150 indicated by the reference numeral 155 in FIG. 1, will be referred to in the remainder of this description as "evolving parameter".
• This evolving parameter 155 is for example a binary word comprising a plurality of bits each capable of being modified by an action of the user.
• the main interactive environment 100 has means for extracting this representative part of the virtual object 150, ie the evolutionary parameter 155.
• extraction means are essentially computer processing means making it possible to select or define characteristic data. of the virtual object and in particular the characteristic data of the virtual object liable to evolve following, in particular, an action by the user.
• the secondary interactive environment 200 is supported by a portable unit which the user can therefore carry with him and, according to a preferred embodiment, communicate with other similar portable units.
• the main interactive environment 100 is for its part supported by a computer terminal, preferably arranged to execute a computer application by means of which the user can interact with the virtual object 150.
• FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system enabling a virtual object to evolve in an interactive environment in accordance with the present invention.
• This system comprises at least a first portable unit indicated overall by the numerical reference 2 and at least a first computer terminal indicated globally by the numerical reference 1.
• the portable unit 2 can be any type of autonomous portable device having its own source of supply of electrical energy and at least one function enabling it to process and / or store data.
• this portable unit 2 is a device capable of being worn on the user's wrist, such as a watch. It will however be understood that this portable unit can take other forms such as that of a cell phone or an electronic agenda for example.
• FIG. 2 thus shows a portable unit 2 such as a wristwatch having in particular display means 22 such as a liquid crystal display and interface means S1 to S5 which the user can operate at will to select functions and modify information or data stored or processed in the portable unit 2, and in particular to interact with the virtual object of the system.
• the interface means of the portable unit comprise, purely by way of illustration, a plurality of control members such as push buttons S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 arranged on the periphery of the portable unit 2. It will be noted that other control members can be envisaged in order to allow user interaction with the data processed or stored in the portable unit 2.
• the portable unit 2 can additionally or alternatively be provided with acoustic means allowing for example a user to execute actions by means of speech.
• acoustic means allowing for example a user to execute actions by means of speech.
• the concept of "interface means" thus includes all types control elements or means offering possibilities of interaction between a user and the portable unit 2.
• the computer terminal 1 can be any type of computer device capable of executing computer applications, such as a personal computer, as is for example illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be noted that a "computer terminal” will also be understood to mean a device IT dedicated to the execution of specific IT applications, such as for example a console dedicated essentially to the execution of games.
• the computer terminal 1 is for example a multimedia personal computer equipped with display means 12, such as a monitor, and interface means 14, 15 and 16 comprising in particular a keyboard 14, a peripheral 15, like a mouse, and a microphone 16.
• display means 12 such as a monitor
• interface means 14, 15 and 16 comprising in particular a keyboard 14, a peripheral 15, like a mouse, and a microphone 16.
• the portable unit 2 as well as the computer terminal 1 of the system are each equipped with means for transmitting and receiving data, not shown in FIG. 2, in order to ensure data transfer, and in in particular a transfer of the evolving parameter 155, from the computer terminal 1 to the portable unit 2, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 2, respectively from the portable unit 2 to the computer terminal 1, as shown by arrow B.
• These transmission and reception means are therefore preferably two-way communication means.
• these transmission and reception means are preferably wireless communication means, such as radio, inductive, optical or acoustic communication means, allowing greater mobility and ease of use of the portable unit and of the computer terminal.
• wireless communication means such as radio, inductive, optical or acoustic communication means
• the main interactive environment (100 in FIG. 1) is therefore supported by the computer terminal 1, and the secondary interactive environment (200 in FIG. 1) is to him supported by the portable unit 2.
• FIG. 3 shows in more detail, in the form of a block diagram, an embodiment of the portable unit 2 of the system illustrated in Figure 2.
• This portable unit 2 comprises in particular a central processing unit or microprocessor 20 managing the functions of the portable unit, and an electrical power supply source 21 connected in particular to the microprocessor 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
• This power source 21 also supplies the other components of portable unit.
• the portable unit 2 further comprises, connected to the microprocessor 20, the display means 22, such as a liquid crystal display, a clock means 23 such as a quartz oscillator making it possible to deliver a clock signal (CLK) to the microprocessor 20, the interface means 24 responding to an action on the control members S1 to S5.
• the display means 22 such as a liquid crystal display
• a clock means 23 such as a quartz oscillator making it possible to deliver a clock signal (CLK) to the microprocessor 20
• CLK clock signal
• the portable unit 2 also comprises storage means 25 comprising in particular a random access memory RAM 251, a ROM read-only memory 252, and a reprogrammable EEPROM memory 253.
• the reprogrammable EEPROM memory 253 is in particular intended to memorize the evolving parameter (155 in FIG. 1) of the virtual object transmitted, for example, by the computer terminal 1.
• the portable unit 2 also comprises transmission and reception means 26 intended for transmitting and receiving data, in particular with the computer terminal 1 of the system.
• These transmission and reception means typically carry out, with a view to transmitting data, a modulation of an electrical control signal on the basis of the data to be transmitted and a conversion of this electrical control signal into a transmission signal. likely to be transmitted to the recipient.
• these transmission and reception means 26 typically carry out a conversion of an incident transmission signal into a modulated electrical signal. and a demodulation of this electrical signal into data capable of being processed by the microprocessor 20 of the portable unit 2.
• various means of transmission and reception fulfilling the above-mentioned functions can be envisaged by the skilled in the art. Without limitation, the Applicant has been able to observe that a wireless link by acoustic waves easily allows communication between the portable unit 2 and the computer terminal 1.
• Figure 4 attached illustrates how a virtual object is likely to evolve in the interactive environment supported by the system according to the present invention, such as the system of Figure 2.
• Figure 4 shows the main interactive environment 100 as well as the secondary interactive environment 200 schematized by two sets.
• the arrows A and B in FIG. 4 respectively show a transfer of the evolutionary parameter 155 from the main interactive environment 100 to the secondary interactive environment 200 and a transfer of the evolutionary parameter 155 from the secondary interactive environment 200 to the main environment 100.
• a user of the system according to the present invention thus generates, or "gives life", firstly, to a virtual object 150 in the main interactive environment 100.
• This virtual object 150 is for example created on the computer terminal supporting the main interactive environment 100 by means of a computer application.
• the user also has the possibility of downloading a predetermined virtual object accessible for example on a server connected to the computer terminal via a computer network.
• the interface means such as the keyboard, the mouse or the microphone (14, 15, 16 in FIG. 2) of the computer terminal supporting the main interactive environment 100 .
• an evolving parameter 155 representative of the virtual object 150 can be transferred into the secondary interactive environment 200.
• the user can therefore interact with the virtual object , that is to say the evolving parameter 155, via the interface means, such as the control members (S1 to S5 in FIG. 2) of the portable unit supporting the secondary interactive environment 200, as shown schematically by block 42.
• the evolving parameter 155 can be transferred again to the main interactive environment 100 in accordance with what is symbolized by the arrow B.
• the user also has, in each interactive environment 100 and 200, according to one embodiment of the invention, possibilities for additional interactions, diagrammed by blocks 41 'and 42'.
• the block 42 ′ symbolizes the interaction of another portable unit of the system.
• the block 41 ′ symbolizes the interaction of another computer terminal of the system as will be illustrated later with reference to FIG. 7.
• a first 2.1 and another portable unit 2.1 ′ of the system are capable of exchanging at least part of their evolutionary parameter 155, respectively 155 ′.
• the transmission and reception means (26 in FIG. 3) of each portable unit 2.1 and 2.1 ′, in this embodiment, are thus arranged to transmit at least part of the evolving parameter 155, respectively 155 ′, of the first portable unit 2.1 to the other portable unit 2.1 ', respectively from the other portable unit 2.1' to the first portable unit 2.1.
• each portable unit is arranged to generate a new evolutionary parameter which is a function of the previous evolutionary parameter of this portable unit and of the part of the evolutionary parameter of another unit.
• each portable unit thus has memorized, in its storage means, its own evolutionary parameter 155 and the evolutionary parameter 155 'transmitted by the other portable unit.
• These evolving parameters 155 and 155 ′ are each shown diagrammatically, in FIG. 6, by a binary word of N bits.
• each portable unit is thus arranged to carry out a mixing operation between at least parts of each evolutionary parameter 155 and 155 ′ to produce as output a new evolutionary parameter 155 * , for example a new binary word of N bits.
• the mixing operation is carried out also taking into account an additional variable or random parameter, indicated 160.
• This additional parameter 160 can for example be supplied via the clock means ( 23 in Figure 3) of each portable unit.
• this additional parameter 160 can for example be the time of a watch forming the portable unit.
• FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a system according to the present invention constituting an evolution of the interactive system described above.
• a system has thus been schematized comprising several portable units, 2.1 to 2.3 and 2.1 ′, and several computer terminals, 1.1 to 1.3.
• Each portable unit and each computer terminal is analogous to the portable unit and to the computer terminal in FIG. 2. It will be understood that each portable unit corresponds to a different user, not shown.
• the system according to FIG. 7 has the particularity that the computer terminals 1.1 to 1.3 are connected or capable of being connected together on a computer network, shown diagrammatically by the connection lines marked 30.
• This computer network 30 is either a local computer network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a combination of these two types of networks.
• connection lines schematically representing the computer network 30 include both a network formed by physical lines and a wireless network.
• the terminology "computer network” thus includes, in the present description, any type of system in which at least two computer terminals are capable of communicating with each other.
• the system also includes a server 5, connected to the computer network 30, hosting applications and data that a user is likely to download from one or other of the computer centers 1.1 to 1.3.
• This server 5 is also capable of receiving data originating from the computer terminals 1.1 to 1.3.
• This server 5 can for example host different types of predetermined virtual objects that the user can download to his computer terminal and can operate in his own interactive environment.
• a virtual object can thus be affected, when it evolves in a main interactive environment supported by a first computer terminal, for example the computer terminal 1.1, by other virtual objects or other users acting on another computer terminal, for example computer terminal 1.2 or 1.3.
• the virtual object or the user connected to a first computer terminal 1.1 can affect the evolution of a virtual object evolving in the main environment supported by another computer terminal 1.2 or 1.3 connected to this first terminal 1.1 via the computer network 30.
• FIG. 7 a first portable unit 2.1 and another portable unit 2.1 ′ have also been shown diagrammatically capable of exchanging data in accordance with what has already been presented with reference to FIG. 4.

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• 1999
  • 1999-11-26 CA CA002395013A patent/CA2395013A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-11-26 EP EP99963336A patent/EP1236174B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-11-26 AT AT99963336T patent/ATE377224T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-11-26 JP JP2001540709A patent/JP2003515367A/ja active Pending
  • 1999-11-26 AU AU19679/00A patent/AU771335B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1999-11-26 CN CN99817018A patent/CN1378680A/zh active Pending
  • 1999-11-26 WO PCT/EP1999/009202 patent/WO2001039117A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1999-11-26 DE DE69937465T patent/DE69937465D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-11-26 KR KR1020027004926A patent/KR100614366B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation

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